Food is more than just a source of nourishment. As an essential part of your daily life, your relationship with food can make a significant impact on your overall well-being. In fact, eating disorders expert Christine M. Peat explains that discussions about food are really powerful, so your mind may internalize any messages about food even if you don’t realize it. So while some may see food as a way to connect to their culture, heritage, or loved ones, others may unconsciously assign moral values to food, only to experience negative emotions during mealtime.
Everyone has a different relationship with food. So if you want to shift your meal times so they are a positive experience, here’s how you change your relationship with food for the better:
Try journaling about your feelings regarding food
Journaling is a popular wellness practice. Similar to writing a diary, this practice enables you to express yourself and organize your thoughts to manage any unpleasant emotions.
What’s interesting is that you can also use this simple yet effective practice to improve your relationship with food. Our article on Kourtney Hillingsworth highlights that she lost over 189 pounds by expressing her emotions through journaling and other methods. She shared that journaling about her food cravings allowed her to stay consistent in her weight loss journey because she was able to deal with her emotions regarding food. Likewise, you can assess your guilt, shame, or any negative emotions about food through journaling.
Shift your mindset about food and mealtimes
Aside from having negative emotions, people can also grow up having poor mindsets about food. While these may seem harmless, they can shape your relationship with food and even affect your physical health.
In fact, UNICEF emphasizes that having a healthy mindset about eating can support your lifelong health and protect your body from chronic illnesses. For instance, you may not be attuned to your body’s needs, which is why you may tend to eat even when you’re already full or even refuse to eat even when your body already needs more energy. As such, it’s important to shift your mindset by paying attention to the needs of your body.
Follow science-based programs instead of fad diets
Many people get lured by the quick result promised by fad diets. Unfortunately, these diets can negatively affect your relationship with food by imposing many restrictions and making people think of food as “good” or “bad”.
In contrast, weight loss programs based on nutritional and behavioral science do not deprive people of food nor restrict people from certain food groups. Instead, these programs help you make healthier dietary choices by encouraging you to eat more nutritious food and teaching you how to portion your guilty pleasures properly. So rather than depriving yourself, you need to improve your relationship with food by simply balancing your meal portions.
Increase your food literacy through cooking programs
You can also shift your relationship with food by increasing your literacy about food. While you can read a book or watch shows to increase your food literacy, you can reap more benefits through cooking programs.
In fact, a 7-week food literacy cooking program has been proven to be effective in improving the mental health and self-efficacy of individuals who are overweight or obese. These cooking programs can increase your confidence in preparing meals and encourage you to taste new foods, which can be useful if you want to shift to a healthier lifestyle. You can also encourage yourself to have a healthier relationship with food by experimenting with other meals and improving your cooking skills.
You will be able to enjoy life to the fullest once you have a better relationship with food. If you want more life, beauty, and fashion tips, check out our articles here at Sheen Magazine. Our articles keep modern-day women updated with the latest trends and news in various industries.
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